The health of lone mothers in New Zealand

Aims. To compare the sociodemographic characteristics and the mental and ph ysical health status of lone and couple mothers, and to explore possible co ntributing factors to any differential health status identified. Methods. Data from the 1996/97 New Zealand Health Survey were analysed. Lon e and couple mothers were compared according to sociodemographic factors, h ealth risk behaviours and three medical conditions. Their self-reported hea lth was measured and compared using the SF-36 questionnaire. Multivariate a nalyses were performed to explore the possible contributing factors to any health disadvantage identified. Results. Lone mothers (n=721) were more likely to be Maori, to have lower f amily incomes, lower educational qualifications and to live in more deprive d areas. There were no significant differences between lone and couple moth ers in their prevalence:of probable asthma and diagnosed diabetes mellitus, or in their self-reported physical health status after adjustment for soci oeconomic variables. However, lone mothers bad higher rates of ever having been on medication for hypertension (OR=2.3; 1.2-4.1), and significantly wo rse self-reported mental health which persisted after adjustment for differ ences in socioeconomic and other factors. Conclusions. These findings,suggest that lone mothers are a vulnerable grou p and special consideration should be given to them if inequalities in heal th are to be addressed.